Facebook Data Breach: Latest News & Updates

Tech News Roundup: April 6, 2021

Regulatory scrutiny surrounds Facebook following a data incident, Clubhouse introduces a payment system for creators, and a robotics firm is preparing to go public via a SPAC. This summarizes the key developments in today’s tech landscape.

Facebook Data Breach Under Investigation

Recent reports detail a data breach impacting over 500 million Facebook user accounts, exposing information like email addresses and phone numbers. This information surfaced through a Business Insider report over the weekend.

While Facebook asserts the underlying vulnerability was addressed in August 2019, the Irish Data Protection Commission, responsible for overseeing Facebook’s data practices within the EU, is requesting a comprehensive account of the situation.

According to deputy commissioner Graham Doyle, the compromised data appears to be a combination of records from 2018, predating GDPR implementation, and potentially more recent data. A substantial portion of affected users are located within the European Union.

Furthermore, European regulators may initiate a review of Facebook’s acquisition of Kustomer, a customer service platform.

Updates from Tech Giants

Apple has released an application, ‘Find My Certification Asst.’, designed to assist manufacturers of accessories compatible with Apple’s ‘Find My’ network in testing interoperability.

Google Cloud has joined the FinOps Foundation, an organization dedicated to establishing best practices and standards in cloud financial management.

Facebook is currently testing QR code-based person-to-person payments within the US, mirroring the functionality of services like Venmo.

Startup Activity and Funding

Clubhouse has launched a payment feature, enabling creators to monetize their presence on the platform. This system functions similarly to a virtual tip jar or a Clubhouse-specific version of Venmo.

Sarcos Robotics, a developer of robotic exoskeletons, has announced plans to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The resulting entity could be valued at approximately $1.3 billion.

The founders of Hipmunk have introduced Flight Penguin, a new flight search engine aiming to replicate the user experience offered by the now-defunct Hipmunk.

Extra Crunch Insights

There is growing interest in extending the lifespan of electric vehicle (EV) batteries through secondary applications before recycling, offering both sustainability and potential profit.

The upcoming public debut of Topps, facilitated by a SPAC, may contribute to the expansion of the non-fungible token (NFT) market, given the overlap between Topps’ collector base and NFT enthusiasts.

LG’s decision to exit the smartphone market was anticipated, raising questions as to why this withdrawal did not occur sooner.

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Other Notable News

General Motors (GM) is developing an all-electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with an estimated range exceeding 400 miles, targeting both individual consumers and commercial applications.

TechCrunch’s European Cities Survey 2021 highlights the growing tech scene in Belfast, following extensive investor surveys conducted across European capitals.

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